THE Worthing Salvation Army Band are to visit Southport for a weekend of music and worship.

The 30-strong band has a reputation for its high standards of music coupled with a commitment to sharing the Christian message.

After their arrival to the resort they will present a musical festival in the Lord Street bandstand starting at 3pm tomorrow afternoon. This will be followed in the evening by a festival of brass at the Citadel, starting at 7pm.

Admission will be £3 and £2 for concessions and the band will also be conducting the Sunday services at the Shakespeare Street Citadel at 10.30am and 4.30pm, for which there is no admission charge.

Peter Downey is the bandmaster at Worthing and the weekend for him represents a homecoming as he spent much of his early life at the Salvation Army in Southport where his father, Jeff Downey was for many years the bandmaster.

Peter has two brothers, Major Gordon Downey, who for a time was bandmaster at the International Training College for Officers, and Brian Downey who is the current bandmaster at Southport.